Pittsburg City Commission Meeting Recap – April 11

PITTSBURG, KS – The following actions were taken at the Pittsburg City Commission meeting held on Tuesday, April 11, 2023:  

PUBLIC INPUT:

• Lead Minister Jim Frech gave an invocation.

Proclamation:

• Pittsburg Mayor Dr. Ron Seglie proclaimed April 20, 2023 D.A.R.E. Day in Pittsburg.

Commissioners approved the following items under the consent agenda:

• March 28, 2023, City Commission Meeting minutes.
• The appointment of Cara Cramer Wesco and Jeremy O’Ferrell to first four-year terms as members of the Pittsburg Public Library’s Board of Trustees.
• Accepting a grant in the amount of $100,000 from the Kansas Housing Resources Corporation (KHRC) to administer the Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) program to provide security deposits for low-income households.
• Updating the Pittsburg Public Housing Authority (PHA) policies to better serve participants in the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) program.
• The application submitted by Brad Snow for water service outside the City of Pittsburg corporate limits to 27 Timberlake Road.
• The Appropriation Ordinance for the period ending April 11, 2023, subject to the release of HUD expenditures when funds are received.

The following item was removed from the consent agenda for further discussion:

• Approval of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) recommendation to forgive the Pittsburg State University Foundation’s 2021 and 2022 loan payments for the buildout of the Block22 restaurant/retail space, as the requirements for forgiveness have been satisfied. Pittsburg Area Chamber of Commerce President Blake Benson said that the total loan amount over five years is $300,000 and $180,000 of that amount has been contributed so far for 2021-2023.

Public Hearing:

• SMALL CITIES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM PUBLIC HEARING – The City of Pittsburg advertised for a Public Hearing to be held on Tuesday, April 11th, 2023, at 5:30 p.m. for the purpose of considering an application to be submitted on behalf of Point Forward, Inc. to the Kansas Department of Commerce for Small Cities Community Development Block Grant funds in the Non-Profit Childcare and Education Facilities category, for a childcare facility to be constructed at Locust and Rose Streets. No members of the public spoke under the public hearing. Following the public hearing, the commissioners voted 3-2 to approve the submittal of a grant application to the KDOC for Small Cities Community CDBG funds on behalf of non-profit community development corporation Point Forward. Munsell and Brooks opposed.

The following items were considered under the main agenda:

• RAVEN COPELAND, LLC PROJECT – Commissioners voted to approve the recommendation of the Economic Development Advisory Committee (EDAC) to reimburse Raven Copeland, LLC, 10 percent of the total project costs associated with the renovation of the dilapidated property located at 106 West 3rd Street, with the City’s investment not to exceed $25,300. Owner Raven Copeland purchased the building in 2022 with the intent to renovate it, and open an art studio and production facility for his business Raven’s Glass. The building will have space for a local ceramic artist in addition to the glass business, and three one-bedroom apartments will be rented out on the residential space above.

Mayor’s Moment:

• Mayor Ron Seglie reminded the community about being a part of Spruce Up Pittsburg and thanked those who have already been engaged in the city-wide cleanup effort.

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The mission of the City of Pittsburg is to provide exceptional services, facilities and activities with integrity, professionalism, excellent customer service and a commitment to economic vitality.